Grading Xi Jinping’s First 100 Days

Xi and the other six newly elected members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau have followed a very tight timetable in their first 100 days of rule.

They made many inspection tours of poverty-hit rural areas, sitting on brick beds, chatting with farmers and learning the real situation.

They convened many efficient, down-to-earth but frugal meetings, and promulgated a series of practical and to-the-point policies and measures.

Their jargon-free speeches have become popular soundbites.

The new CPC leaders also used their public appearances in various occasions — inspection tours, meetings and speeches — to deploy political, economic, diplomatic and national defense work, showcasing their ruling principle and concept.

These moves were hailed by media from home and abroad as the “new deal.”

Asked to grade Mr Xi on a scale from “A” to “F”, Singapore-based observer Li Mingjiang gave him an “A minus”. “Xi has done a fairly good job so far. First of all, he has created a new and positive political atmosphere in China,” he added.

Professor Li cited Mr Xi’s efforts such as cutting back on lavish ceremonies and receptions for officials, encouraging local governments to be less wasteful, and taking tougher steps against graft.

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Mr Xi got a “B” grade from Nottingham University analyst Steve Tsang, who credits the leader for taking on corruption and abuse of power verbally.

“He has also projected an image of taking these issues seriously by appointing Wang Qishan to this portfolio,” he added.

He said Mr Xi has been disappointing in not saying much so far about economic and especially political reform, and has also continued the illegal treatment of dissidents such as the house arrest of jailed Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo’s wife Liu Xia.